New Orleans Saints' Brees Says Few More Details Left In NFL Lockout

"We're very close to a settlement," said an optimistic Drew Brees on Wednesday on a XX Sports Radio in San Diego. "We're at the point in the negotiations where there's just a few more details that need to be ironed out."

Brees is in San Diego, but will be headed to New York to get personally involved in negotiations. He said the July 21 owners' meeting looms large on the calendar.

"There's a big sense of urgency, especially in the next week with the owners meeting on July 21," said the quarterback. " I think we're all optimistic and hoping we can finalize a deal for that time."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello quickly responded to Brees' statement and said "it's time" to get a deal done.

"We share the view that now is the time to reach an agreement so we can all get back to football and a full 2011 season. We are working hard with the players' negotiating team every day to complete an agreement as soon as possible."

As a named plaintiff in the players' antitrust lawsuit and a member of the NFLPA Executive Committee, Brees is one of the most knowledgeable players in the league when it comes to organizing the ongoing negotiations.

On the revenue split, Brees said the players have already made concessions to the owners. "We've taken a significant setback as far as over-all revenue," said Brees.

Brees said the owners should be happy with the deal the players are willing to make, and now it's time to reach across the table and accept.

"Get us back on the field again. That's all we want as players.'

"We're very close to a settlement," said an optimistic Drew Brees on Wednesday on a XX Sports Radio in San Diego. "We're at the point in the negotiations where there's just a few more details that need to be ironed out."

Brees is in San Diego, but will be headed to New York to get personally involved in negotiations. He said the July 21 owners' meeting looms large on the calendar.

"There's a big sense of urgency, especially in the next week with the owners meeting on July 21," said the quarterback. " I think we're all optimistic and hoping we can finalize a deal for that time."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello quickly responded to Brees' statement and said "it's time" to get a deal done.

"We share the view that now is the time to reach an agreement so we can all get back to football and a full 2011 season. We are working hard with the players' negotiating team every day to complete an agreement as soon as possible."

As a named plaintiff in the players' antitrust lawsuit and a member of the NFLPA Executive Committee, Brees is one of the most knowledgeable players in the league when it comes to organizing the ongoing negotiations.

On the revenue split, Brees said the players have already made concessions to the owners. "We've taken a significant setback as far as over-all revenue," said Brees.

Brees said the owners should be happy with the deal the players are willing to make, and now it's time to reach across the table and accept.

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